World Environment Day

Held every year on June 5, World Environment Day spreads awareness about the different ways in which human activities damage the environment and calls for people to make conscious decisions to reverse them. This day encourages people to come together and protect the environment. This year we celebrate 50 years of World Environment Day.

The concept of observing World Environment Day was initially introduced in the UN General Assembly of 1972. In the following year, the world celebrated the first Environment Day on June 5, 1973. The slogan used was “Only One Earth”. 

The theme for World Environment Day 2023 is “Beat Plastic Pollution”. It is estimated that annually 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced, out of which only 10% is recycled. Another environmental concern is the presence of microplastics. Microplastics are extremely harmful to human health. Since these particles are invisible to the naked eye, they can easily make their way into the food we consume and the air we inhale. 

People celebrate this day in many ways. Some people participate in clean-up campaigns, make posters and banners, participate in rallies and educate others on environmental issues. On June 2, Kurseong Forest Division and Ghoshpukur Forest Department came together on the occasion of World Environment Day to educate people about environmental consciousness by organizing a rally. The participants held banners and posters related to protecting the environment. They also organized a cleanliness program. Many welfare organizations such as Ghoshpukur Gram Panchayat, Paschim Banga Vigyan Mancha and others joined the cause.